Long ride a wheeze for asthma cause

KELLY HODEL/Waikato Times

PEDDLING A CAUSE: Roger Honeybun

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Former Morrinsville man Roger Honeybun admitted to feeling "a bit famous" as crowds gathered to watch him complete the final stages of his 1000-kilometre cycle ride from Christchurch to Auckland.

Mr Honeybun, 62, rode through Hamilton on Saturday as part of a nine-day road trip to raise funds for Asthma New Zealand. The funds will be used to promote awareness about asthma control.

Mr Honeybun said the ride was also a tribute to his great-nephew, nine-year-old Sean Hedley, whose death was asthma-related.

"Sean's death was devastating for our family, but I wanted something positive to come from it. I was amazed that, in this day and age, children like Sean are still dying of this incredibly common affliction."

Linda Thompson, of Asthma New Zealand, said the disease killed more than 100 New Zealanders each year and affected one in four children.

"Treatments exist to achieve asthma control and it's upon us to ensure New Zealanders are aware of this and know how to best manage their asthma," she said.

Donations to Mr Honeybun's campaign can be made online at asthma-nz.org.nz

- © Fairfax NZ News